Appearance

In his youth, Illyrio was a slender, tall young man. [1] Years later, after having gained significant wealth and power, Illyrio has grown morbidly obese.[2] He has pig's eyes and fat cheeks. He has a huge white belly and a pair of heavy breasts that sag like sacks of suet covered with coarse yellow hair. When he laughs his flesh bounces vigorously.[3] He has an oiled forked yellow beard,[2] which he tends to stroke in a manner considered remarkably obscene by Tyrion Lannister.[3] Although he uses heavy perfumes, Illyrio's flesh can still be smelled by bystanders.[2] He has crooked yellow teeth.[2] Despite his bulk, he can walk lightly,[4] a remnant of having been a bravo as a youth.

In his youth, however, Illyrio was a muscular and exceptionally handsome sellsword. A statue of his youthful self carved by Pytho Malanon graces the court in his manse. It depicts a naked boy, no older than sixteen, standing in the water of a marble pool, poised to duel with a bravo's blade shimmering like steel. The statue is lithe and handsome with straight blond hair brushing its shoulders.[3]

Although slavery is outlawed in Pentos according to its treaty with Braavos, Illyrio's servants are slaves in all but name. His favorite is a fair-haired, blue-eyed sixteen-year-old woman.[2]

History

As a young man, Illyrio was a poor bravo, living by his blade. After the young Varys arrived in Pentos they formed an unlikely friendship and worked together and became very rich. Illyrio grew very respectable and married the maiden daughter of a cousin of the Prince of Pentos[5] - only with the help of Varys did he reach a position where the daughter of a magister was willing to marry him.[6] After she died, he remarried at least once, to Serra, a Lysenepillow house worker. This infuriated the prince, who barred the palace to him forever after. Illyrio was happy with Serra until the Treasure, a Braavosi trading galley carrying the plague, anchored in Pentos. Through the rats the plague left the ship and killed two thousand in the city, among them Serra. Illyrio keeps a locket with Serra's picture and her hands as a reminder of his lost love.[5]

Even decades after Varys left to serve in Westeros the two still keep in close contact.[4][3][5]

Illyrio has kept an eye on the remaining Targaryens, Viserys and Daenerys, for years whilst they lived in exile in the Free Cities.[1] Eventually, he took them into his manse, keeping them under his protection.[2] He was smitten at first by the beauty of Daenerys and thought of eliminating Viserys and claiming her as a wife, but dismissed this idea soon as he believed the girl too timid and frightened and that coupling with her would give him no pleasure. He claims he protected Viserys and Daenerys on the grounds that Viserys promised to make him the master of coin upon his ascension to the Iron Throne.[5]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Apparently, Illyrio's interest in the remaining Targaryens is purely financial, expecting to receive great riches in gratitude once a Targaryen regains power. He also inflames Viserys's ambitions by telling him of Westerosi people awaiting the return of their rightful king, of men drinking toasts to his health and women sewing dragon banners in secret.[2]

A Clash of Kings

A Storm of Swords

Aboard the Balerion Ser Jorah Mormont and Daenerys discuss Illyrio. He counsels that she return to Pentos and Illyrio in her own time, and not alone. He advises her to use the valuable cargo of the Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes to help purchase slaves. Dany tells him that the cargo belongs to Illyrio. He argues that if Illyrio would deny her then he is only Xaro Xhoan Daxos with four chins. Dany heeds his counsel and sails to Slaver's Bay where she can buy Unsullied.

Illyrio and Tyrion travel in a litter and eventually meet with some of Illyrio's other cohorts.[5] Illyrio greets Haldon and Rolly Duckfield and has Tyrion join them to continue the voyage to Volantis. Illyrio bids them a pleasant journey and returns to Pentos and his manse.[11]Griff says that Illyrio has paid Triarch Nyessos Vhassar of the Volantene elephants enough to own him eight times over.[12]

Tyrion: Are you quite certain that Daenerys will make good her brother's promises?Illyrio: She will, or she will not. I told you, my little friend, not all that a man does is done for gain. Believe as you wish, but even fat old fools like me have friends, and debts of affection to repay.[5]

Daenerys: Illyrio protected us from the Usurper's knives, and he believed in my brother's cause."Jorah: Illyrio believes in no cause but Illyrio. Gluttons are greedy men as a rule, and magisters are devious. Illyrio Mopatis is both.[16]

Daenerys: Magister Illyrio has protected me in the past. Strong Belwas says that he wept when he heard my brother was dead.Jorah: Yes, but did he weep for Viserys, or for the plans he had made with him?[8]

Illyrio Mopatis. A whale with whiskers, I am telling you truly. These chairs were built to his measure, though he is seldom bestirring himself from Pentos to sit in them. A fat man always sits comfortably, I am thinking, for he takes his pillow with him wherever he goes.[10]

Lemore: Illyrio could not have been expected to know that the girl would choose to remain at Slaver's Bay.Jon: No more than he knew that the Beggar King would die young, or that Khal Drogo would follow him into the grave. Very little of what the fat man has anticipated has come to pass. I have danced to the fat man's pipes for years, Lemore.[13]